Using multiple ground screws

So, I've been searching and searching for an answer to this one, but haven't found anything definite (i.e. backed up by code) yet.

I've seen it done before where, in a metal box, instead of pigtailing all the grounds together and then attaching to a ground screw, someone pigtailed half of them together and attached them to a ground screw, then pigtailed the other half and attached them to another ground screw. (It was a 2-gang box made from 2 gangable metal boxes, so there were multiple holes that were designed to accept ground screws.)

I think this seems easier if there are a bunch of cables entering the box; for example, instead of trying to tie 8 ground wires together and connect to a ground screw, just tie 4 together and attach to one ground screw, then tie the 4 others together and attach to another ground screw.

Obviously there's still continuity between the grounds, but is there anything in the code that would prohibit this?

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Using multiple ground screws

No Code ref, but take all the grounds, twist them together just a few turns, and put on a crimp sleeve and crimp it down. You will then take the longest remaining wire and, using that as a pigtail, place that around the ground screw, and cut the rest off.

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Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhartz

So, I've been searching and searching for an answer to this one, but haven't found anything definite (i.e. backed up by code) yet.

I've seen it done before where, in a metal box, instead of pigtailing all the grounds together and then attaching to a ground screw, someone pigtailed half of them together and attached them to a ground screw, then pigtailed the other half and attached them to another ground screw. (It was a 2-gang box made from 2 gangable metal boxes, so there were multiple holes that were designed to accept ground screws.)

I think this seems easier if there are a bunch of cables entering the box; for example, instead of trying to tie 8 ground wires together and connect to a ground screw, just tie 4 together and attach to one ground screw, then tie the 4 others together and attach to another ground screw.

Obviously there's still continuity between the grounds, but is there anything in the code that would prohibit this?

If you have 8 ground wires in a box (2 gang), you need to review your wiring layout and box fill. 8 #14 cables and 2 devices would require a 42 cu in box. #12 would require a 47.25 cu in box.

Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickboy1375

Besides possible box fill violation in this scenario, as long as it meets code I don't consider any installation hack, rather a preference.

I agree. I see NO problem in doing it the way you propose, but work out a better way of laying out your wiring so that you don't have EIGHT cables in a 2-gang box.
If you are doing the "spider" or "wagon wheel" layout where multiple circuits are fed out of that one box that is NOT the way professionals would do it, for this exact reason.

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Using multiple ground screws

Just for clarification, the example with 8 cables wasn't necessarily a 2-gang box; I just wanted to make another scenario where this might be useful... maybe a 5-gang box (for a bunch of switches in one location or something).

I know I would also have to look at box fill, and I can't actually think of a new work situation where there would be 8 cables, but it could be useful.

Using multiple ground screws

In my opinion, splitting the grounds between two screws is bad practice. If you tie 8 grounds together and someone removes/fails to replace that ground screw, you have one box that is no longer bonded.

If you split the grounds between 2 screws and someone removes/fails to replace one screw, you have four cables and everything connected to them that are no longer bonded back to the rest of the system.

Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oso954

In my opinion, splitting the grounds between two screws is bad practice. If you tie 8 grounds together and someone removes/fails to replace that ground screw, you have one box that is no longer bonded.

If you split the grounds between 2 screws and someone removes/fails to replace one screw, you have four cables and everything connected to them that are no longer bonded back to the rest of the system.

That is not the fault of the install, but the idiot that failed to make the connections that needed to be made.

Using multiple ground screws

That is not the fault of the install, but the idiot that failed to make the connections that needed to be made.

Exactly. You could "What if.." almost any installation and call it bad practice.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.
Answers based on the 2008 & 2011 NEC.

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Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oso954

In my opinion, splitting the grounds between two screws is bad practice. If you tie 8 grounds together and someone removes/fails to replace that ground screw, you have one box that is no longer bonded.

If you split the grounds between 2 screws and someone removes/fails to replace one screw, you have four cables and everything connected to them that are no longer bonded back to the rest of the system.

I can't see any argument for one of these scenarios being definitively worse than the other.

Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oso954

In my opinion, splitting the grounds between two screws is bad practice. If you tie 8 grounds together and someone removes/fails to replace that ground screw, you have one box that is no longer bonded.

If you split the grounds between 2 screws and someone removes/fails to replace one screw, you have four cables and everything connected to them that are no longer bonded back to the rest of the system.

Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oso954

In my opinion, splitting the grounds between two screws is bad practice. If you tie 8 grounds together and someone removes/fails to replace that ground screw, you have one box that is no longer bonded.

If you split the grounds between 2 screws and someone removes/fails to replace one screw, you have four cables and everything connected to them that are no longer bonded back to the rest of the system.

And this is done all the time (multiple Equipment grounds landed separately) in large junction boxes, panels and not an issue when the work is competed to code.

Using multiple ground screws

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhartz

So, I've been searching and searching for an answer to this one, but haven't found anything definite (i.e. backed up by code) yet.

I've seen it done before where, in a metal box, instead of pigtailing all the grounds together and then attaching to a ground screw, someone pigtailed half of them together and attached them to a ground screw, then pigtailed the other half and attached them to another ground screw. (It was a 2-gang box made from 2 gangable metal boxes, so there were multiple holes that were designed to accept ground screws.)

I think this seems easier if there are a bunch of cables entering the box; for example, instead of trying to tie 8 ground wires together and connect to a ground screw, just tie 4 together and attach to one ground screw, then tie the 4 others together and attach to another ground screw.

Obviously there's still continuity between the grounds, but is there anything in the code that would prohibit this?

Was it run with conduit between the boxes or is this a bunch of romex run to junction boxes youre dealing with?

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